Factfile: Class 87

From its introduction in 1973, British Rail’s Class 87 served as the WCML’S premier traction for 30 years, until it was usurped by Class 390 ‘Pendolinos’. Built at Crewe, the 36-strong fleet (35 Class 87/0 and a single 87/1) was procured as part of the extension of the AC electric network between Preston and Glasgow. Developed from the preceding Al6/class 86, the ‘87s’ performed admirably over the testing gradients of Shap and Beattock, working express passenger services, as well as overnight sleeper traffic, mail/tpo workings and bulk freight flows, especially Anglo-scottish steel and intermodal traffic.

With a top speed of 110mph, journey times between London and Glasgow were reduced significantly, especially as a switch from electric to diesel at Preston was abolished. The entire fleet received names, many of which bore tribute to former steam locomotives that worked over Shap in LMS and LNWR days.

Once finally displaced from frontline WCML work in 2003, a number of ‘87s’ have been overhauled and modified to work on the Continent. Direct Rail Services trialled three examples for a short time (87006/022/028) on freight and charter work, as did GBRF and Cotswold Rail. Only 87002, owned by the AC Locomotive Group, is still in use on Britain’s network, employed primarily on Caledonian Sleeper stock workings and the odd charter service.

The unique 87101, fitted with experimental thyristor control (later perpetuated on the Class 90), was operated by the Railfreight Distribution sector of BR and passed into EWS ownership following privatisation. Withdrawn in 1999, it was stripped for spares before scrapping in 2002. A similar fate has befallen 11 of the ‘87/0s’ so far, although pioneer 87001 is now safely preserved at the National Railway Museum, while 87035 can be found at The Railway Age, Crewe.